weighing in the options

My last weigh-in was on Friday since I was checking in for the last time with Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge. But, I was wondering...should I have Fridays as my weigh-in day or stick with Wednesdays? My "first time around" Fridays were my weigh-in days and then I gave myself a little slack during the weekends. I think there will be pros and cons to any of the day of the week. Any suggestions/opinions are welcome!

For today, I'm going to weigh-in on Wednesday, but check back on Friday because I may decide to switch. Undecisiveness...gotta love it!

And guess what? I lost some weight since Friday! 1.6 pounds to be exact. I am so glad that I decided to get back on track and try to turn my mishaps around.

Checking in with the Fabulous N Fit by Fall Challenge (Week 5):

Pounds Lost This Week: 1.6 pounds
Total FNF Challenge Pounds Lost: 4.8 pounds
NSV's This week: I was able to get back on track!
Days Exercised: ZERO...I'm determined to change that!
Inches Lost (optional): N/A
This Week's Motivation: Seeing old pictures of how far I have come.
Weekly Summary: After being *this close* to giving up because of 2 weeks of gaining, I was able to grab a hold of myself and get back on track "officially" on Monday and continue on this journey.
Room for Improvement for next week: I need to get more water in!! I want to commit to drinking a glass of water before each meal, and of course even more throughout the day.

something's a little wrong with this picture

Ugh. That's all I can say right now.

Well, that and PHOOEY!

I've been avoiding posting my results for Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge because they aren't what I was hoping for in the long run. But, because I need to be responsible for my actions and turn this madness around...I am here and checking in. Even if I'm dragging my feet to do it.

Friday was our last day of the 4th of July Challenge:
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 10.8 pounds
Challenge Summary: My goal was to lose 15 pounds (I started the challenge with only 5 weeks left), but as you can see I didn't quite make it. I was on the right track for awhile and headed for success, but I somehow jumped the tracks the last two weeks, lost my focus, and got caught up in an eating frenzy and therefore gained weight instead of lost over the last two weeks. Don't get me wrong, I'm still happy about the weight I lost...I just wish I had kept my focus and pushed forward.

****************************************************

Despite the back pedaling, I am determined to push forward and so I'm continuing on with the Fabulous N Fit by Fall Challenge. My goal is to lose 30 pounds by September 22.

Pounds Lost This Week: +0.8 pounds
Total FNF Challenge Pounds Lost: 3.2 pounds (the numbers should be going the other direction!)
NSV's This week: sadly, none
Day's Exercised: sadly, none
This Week's Motivation: N/A
Weekly Summary: Just an overall crappy week. It just so happened that my TOM decided to throw me for a loop and I gave into some major cravings of any food in sight!
Room for Improvement for next week: Get over this hump of thinking I can eat whatever, whenever, and however much I want. I need to change my mind set back to when I was doing great and feeling great, too!

Boy, do I sound like a downer!

So, I leave you (and myself) some pictures from the last two years taken on the 4th of July. I sure wish I can see more progress (the two pictures are only with a 6 pound difference). By this time I was hoping to be down at least 75 pounds from my start weight, but I'm still stuck around 45 pounds lost. Hopefully by NEXT JULY I can say that I really do see a difference!!

July 4, 2008
{245.8 pounds}

July 4, 2009
{239 pounds}

i kind of expected it...

Although I was hoping I wouldn't, I kind of figured I would see a gain this week. Thankfully, it was less than a pound at 0.6 pounds, but bummer! I was really hoping that I would continue to be consistent with my loss and keep going dooooooown. After a "free for all" weekend, I suppose it could have been worse! Now, I need to get serious to reach my 4th of July goal. I have 10 days to lose 3.4 pounds. It's do-able, but I just have to stick with it and I don't have much wiggle room. Like, all I want today is to eat whatever I want, but I just can't do that.

Checking in this week with my challenges:

Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge
Week 19 (Week 6 for me)

Pounds Lost this Week: 0.6 pound gain!
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 11.6 (out of a 15 pound goal)
NSV's: Not sure I had one?
Weekly Summary: I had a busy and stressful weekend and starting Friday, I let it get the worst of me and I ate a bit more on the "not so good" side. I tried to turn it around on Monday and still see a loss, but I came up short.
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: Not to let my gain get me down, but instead push through...drinking more water, eating more veggies and fruit, and avoiding any extra snacking!

Fabulous N Fit by Fall Challenge
Week 3

Pounds Lost This Week: 0.6 pound gain! :(
Total FNF Challenge Pounds Lost: 4.0 pounds
NSV's This week: Not sure I had one?
Days Exercised: 2 (time for me to get moving!)
Inches Lost (optional): will post at the end of each month
This Week's Motivation: To undo what I did over the weekend!
Weekly Summary: I had a busy and stressful weekend and starting Friday, I let it get the worst of me and I ate a bit more on the "not so good" side. I tried to turn it around on Monday and still see a loss, but I came up short.
Room for Improvement for next week: Not to let my gain get me down, but instead push through...drinking more water, eating more veggies and fruit, and avoiding any extra snacking!

Keep going strong, friends! Don't give up...even with a little gain that might get you down. It's definitely possible to turn it around. Looking forward to reaching that 15 pound loss in a week and a half. And, since I still have lost 10+ pounds, I'll be getting that hair cut and color as my first reward. It happens this Friday! So, I'll check back in with the before and after this weekend.

once I start...

...I can't stop!!

Ugh! I had such bad cravings this past weekend. I'm so frustrated that I gave into those temptations. I'm usually pretty good about it, but something grabbed a hold of me and I didn't care. And the worst part? I just kept going...not caring even more. It was a stressful and tiring weekend and I think that got the best of me, so I drowned it all in food. I need to find a better way to cope!!

Now, I've dug myself a hole and I have to be on my best behavior for the next 3 days just to pull off the same weight from last Wednesday. I'm not happy with myself...but I will forgive myself.

10 pounds...bye! bye!

Yes! I made it to my first 10-pound loss (this time around)!! Actually, I lost a total of 2.8 pounds this week, so I blew it out of the water and now I have lost a total of 12.2 pounds since May 13, 2009. I have been so happy with the success of "this time around". I've stuck with it, and have even started exercising!! Something I didn't do much of last time.

My first reward was set for 10 pounds and that would include a hair cut and highlight. I finally made it! And not a moment too soon because I desperately need a new "look". I'll be scheduling the appointment today, but I probably won't be able to get it cut until next Friday with such a busy schedule, so I'll be sure to share a before and after when the time comes. What's my next reward, you might ask? When I hit 20 pounds, I am getting a pedicure AND manicure! By then, I deserve a little pampering...don't you think?

Wednesdays are my day to check in with the two challenges I am a part of right now.

Challenge #1: Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge:

Week 18 (Week 5 for me!)

Pounds Lost this Week: 2.8 pounds
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 12.2 pounds (out of a 15 pound goal)
Non-Scale Victories: I have more energy in the evenings after I go walking, and it feels great!
Weekly Summary: This week went rather smoothly. I was really good about avoiding extra snacking and I'm starting to get the "stop eating when full" concept!
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: Water, water, water!!!

I can now proudly display my 10-pound loss button for the challenge. By July 4th, I hope to be able to display the 15-pound button!


Challenge #2: Fabulous N Fit by Fall:

Week 2

Pounds Lost This Week: 2.8 pounds
Total FNF Challenge Pounds Lost: 4.6 pounds
NSV's This Week: More energy in the evenings after walking!
Days Exercised: 3
Inches Lost (optional): Will post at end of month
This Week's Motivation: My 10-pound loss (since starting to lose weight in May)
Weekly Summary: This week went rather smoothly. I was really good about avoiding extra snacking and I'm starting to get the "stop eating when full" concept!
Room for Improvement for next week: Water, water, water!

*************************************

Out of curiosity, I tracked down a picture of me that was taken EXACTLY 2 years ago on June 17, 2007. I am not sure what I was weighing at the time (around 270, maybe?) since I was 6 months pregnant with my son, but ugh! the face! There were much worse than this, but I just couldn't post them. Yuck!

Last year, on June 13, 2008, I weighed 251 pounds, so at least I have made some progress since then! (For those who haven't visited my blog before, I lost 50 pounds last year from March-September 2008, but then gained back 20 of those pounds. Since May 13, 2009, I have been working to get that 20 pounds off (again) and keep going...)

so close!

**Believe it or not, I attempted to write this post in the morning and got halfway through before the motherly duty called and then I didn't get a chance to actually sit down to finish what I wanted to say!

**************************

My weekly weigh-in is today! I have to admit I was a little excited to get on the scale this morning after a great last couple of days, especially with adding 2 nights of walking into the routine.

I came so close to reaching my first 10 pounds, which is where I wanted to get to this week, so I could cash in my reward to get my hair cut and highlighted (I desperately need it!).

I lost 1.8 pounds this week, which is awesome but just 0.6 pounds shy of my 10-pound hair cut reward! Go figure. I guess we'll have to wait until next week.

Not only is today my weigh-in day, but I also am checking in with the challenges I am a part of.

Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge:
Week 17 (Week 4 for me!)

Pounds Lost this Week: 1.8 pounds
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 9.4 pounds (out of a 15 pound goal)
Non-Scale Victories: I walked 2 days in a row for 20-25 minutes each night. That's a definite victory for me!
Weekly Summary: After my weigh-in last week on Wednesday, I let my 5 pound loss get to my head and splurged a little bit on Wednesday and Thursday, but by the weekend I was ready to go again!
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: More water for sure!! I want to walk 4 out of 7 days in the week.

Fabulous N Fit by Fall Challenge:
Week 1

Pounds Lost This Week: 1.8 pounds
Total FNF Challenge Pounds Lost: 1.8 pounds
NSVs This Week: I started walking at night!!
Days Exercised: Monday, Tuesday
Inches Lost (optional): N/A - Will share results once a month.
This Week's Motivation: My new MP3 player!
Weekly Summary: See above.
Room for Improvement for next week: See above.

So, there you have it. I'm ready to go and ready to get that hair cut...next week for sure!!

it really is possible...

I can't believe it!

It's actually possible to only eat one piece of pizza.

Sadly, I'm not sure I've ever done that before.

One slice of pizza and a fresh side salad.

A satisfying meal.

Top it off with a walk in the evening.

And hope for a good weigh-in in the morning!

put on those walking shoes

I've been talking with my husband for awhile now that I need to get up and moving if I want to really get rid of this weight. It's one thing to eat better and lose weight, but really the overall goal is for me to get fit, too!

On Sunday while the kiddos napped he said that he had an errand to run, but didn't go into detail. So, when he pulled up to the house, I asked him, "What did you do that you were being so secretive about?" He pulls from his car an MP3 player he had bought for me for an amazing deal! He wanted to surprise me and give me something that I could use when I go walking. I had mentioned to him a couple of times in the past week how I wanted to go walking after I put the kids down for bed. With it being lighter later, I thought this would be the perfect time for me to go walking. Not push the stroller along walking, but "real" walking.

Well, now that I have an MP3 player and Carrie Underwood to keep me company, tonight was my first walking excursion. It was so great to listen to music and just have a little bit of peace to myself. I think I only walked about 20 minutes or so, but that's more than I've done in a very long time! I hope to keep it up throughout the week and see if this will help make a difference on the scale and in the way that I feel.

just a little slip up

Well, I made some poor eating decisions these last couple of days. {Sad.} I think the 5 pound loss got to my head and I figured I could splurge a little. But you know how that happens sometimes. Once you splurge...it just keeps going. I didn't go completely wild, so I'm thankful for that, but I am up a couple of pounds from my weigh-in day. Phooey! I think that {medium} Wendy's Frosty I had on Wednesday might have had something to do with that. Normally on the weekend I give myself a little extra wiggle room with my eating, but in order for me to see a loss next week I'm going to have to be a good girl with my eating!!

On Wednesday I checked in with Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge. There is only 1 month left of this challenge! I joined in a little late (13 weeks late to be exact), but my overall goal was to lose 25 pounds by July 4th, which would be 10% of my starting weight. However, I don't think I realized what I was saying! 25 pounds in 7 weeks would mean I would have to lose 3.5 pounds each week! I must not have done the math correctly because I am smart enough to know that this is not exactly doable unless you're on the Biggest Loser! So, I'm going to adjust my goal weight for this challenge to having a loss of 15 pounds by July 4th, which would put me at 234.8 pounds. That's much more doable...I'm half way there!!

And, speaking of challenges...


My blogging buddy Rhonda just joined a new challenge that started on Tuesday called Fabulous N Fit by Fall. This challenge will run all the way through to the first day of Fall on September 22nd. I'm excited to be joining in this challenge on the 1st week!

My official weigh-in for the challenge is...

{photo taken this morning}

My weight loss goal for this challenge will be 30 pounds, which will put me at 214.2 pounds at the end of the challenge. I could have given myself a bigger push and said 40 pounds, but I have to be real with myself and there will be weeks that I'm going to tumble a bit (especially because it's the summer and summer always means vacation and vacation always means extra eating!). So 30 pounds sounds realistic and I know I can do this!! I've come so far already and I'm ready to keep going!!

The challenge also encourages us to take measurements so that we can see results beyond the scale, especially because becoming FIT is part of the challenge. I'll figure out those measurements later as well as take an official "before" picture for the challenge and post them soon...I hope!

now, that's more like it

Checking in today for Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge...it's Week 16 of the challenge, but Week 3 for me!

This week, the scale was extremely kind to me!! After a 0 pound loss last week, my body decided to catch up and pulled off a 5 pound loss! It was TOM last week, so I'm thinking my body had been holding onto some water weight and a little bit of bloating, that's why I have such a great number this week. No complaining from me!

Pounds Lost this Week: 5 pounds
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 7.6 pounds (started Week 13)
Non-Scale Victories: Bought a new pair of capris. Same size as I've been wearing, but they seem a bit looser?? Could be the brand, but oh well!
Weekly Summary: Great week with avoiding temptations!
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: More veggies and fruit!! I really need to go grocery shopping. I must drink more water!

I get to display my first button of the challenge!!

**********************************

TIP OF THE WEEK:

I love salads, especially those with chicken, but many times during the day (lunch), I don't feel like baking some chicken (especially when I'm trying to fuss with the kids' lunch). So, last week I baked up a couple breasts of chicken...one with BBQ sauce and one with Mrs. Dash. Then I cut them up and put them in a Tupperware. Now they are ready to be used in a salad without too much preparation! Quick and easy! I made my Southwestern BBQ Chicken Salad last week for lunch and it was so delicious!!

*********************************

Do you ever feel like you're doing so good at this weight loss thing and then you see a picture of yourself and you seriously want to crawl in a hole and never come out!? This is even only the top half of my body and I hate it! My face looks so chubby and I look like a football player up top. Ugh. I also can't wait until I can change that haircut...only 2.4 pounds until I get to make my appointment (my 10 pound reward).

{picture taken on May 25, 2009}

Hope everyone has a great week!

it could have been worse, but bummer

Well, no pounds lost this week. Zero. Zip. Zilch.

Of course, I'm disappointed...there's no secret about that, but I should be thankful that I didn't see a gain. I kind of "enjoyed myself" a bit during my 2-day trip to visit friends on Sunday/Monday. I just couldn't help myself! I was tempted with things that I don't usually have around, and I found them very, very hard to resist.

***********************************************

Since today is my weigh-in day I'm checking in with Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge. (It's actually Week 15 since the beginning of the challenge, but this is only week 2 for me.)

Pounds Lost this Week: 0 pounds
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: -2.6 pounds total (started Week 13)
Non-Scale Victories: Got right back on track on Tuesday after a rough 2 days on Sunday and Monday.
Weekly Summary: I worked really hard Wednesday through Saturday, but then Sunday rolled around and we went on a 2-day mini vacation to visit friends and I got a little carried away with my eating! To make matters worse, I filled myself with garbage on Monday night that I absolutely did not need just because I felt I had already screwed up, so what's the point!? I hate when I get to feeling this way.
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: Staying on track and hitting the pavement at least 3 times this week. Even if it means a short, leisurely walk with the kids. I really need to get my exercise in!

I'm hoping that next week will be a bit more successful!

is that really me?

I ran across some pictures the other day...

April 22, 2008
(approx. 270 pounds)

exactly one year later

!
!
!
!
v

April 22, 2009
(approx. 250 pounds)

What a difference 20 pounds and one year can make!

But, isn't that boy adorable!?

i feel a craving coming on...

Today was all about cravings!!

But, I must admit that I didn't go crazy or anything like that. Just a little bit on the verge of crazy.

My day started out with a bowl of cornflakes. Seriously! A bowl of cornflakes!? Next time I will definitely be adding some fresh strawberries or something because talk about blah. I opted eating a banana after only 30 minutes of eating my bowl of cereal since I was already hungry. Definitely not the most filling breakfast.

For lunch I called up my husband to see if he wanted to meet up at my favorite place EVER!! Why? Because I had a craving. (It's better than heading down the road to Burger King, I suppose.)


Normally I would order a plate of chicken and cheese nachos with guacamole and sour cream and wipe the plate clean. Ugh. I think I just gained 2 pounds just typing all of that out. But...it's a good thing that I LOVE their Chicken Ensalada. So yummy and with salsa verde dressing (fat free) it's only 6 points!! So, usually I have some points left over for some chips. Today I probably ate a few more chips than I should have, but I've already forgiven myself for that. So, moving on...

The afternoon didn't include any snacking since I was pretty full after my amazing lunch, but I did "treat" myself to a No Sugar Added Fudgsicle later in the afternoon, that, after calculating the calories, fat, and fiber ended up only being ZERO points. Yes, you read that right! Zero points for a little bit of goodness. It was just one of those small little fudgsicles, but it gave me the little taste of chocolate that I was wanting.

For dinner I had set out chicken to make one of my favorite salads (BBQ Chicken Southwestern Salad), but with the time crunch of Ryan not coming home until later and me having a meeting in the evening (these are all excuses...I already know this), I opted for grabbing a sandwich at the local Pogy's sub shop. What can I say? I had another craving! So, if you're counting that is TWO eating out meals in one day. Not good on the points, but I do have to say it could have been worse. The sub was with light mayo on wheat and shared with my daughter (come on she at least ate...1/4 of it!) I added a "few" Baked Lays on the side and I was good to go.


I kind of think all of these cravings have something to do with a little "visitor" coming to say hello for her monthly visit. So, I'm hoping that the cravings don't go beyond sensible and head in the direction of heaping bowls of icecream, bags of Oreo cookies, or handfuls of potato chips. For now, I'll be OK with what I craved today.

Here's to sticking with it and fighting those temptations!!

weigh-in wednesday

I'm checking in today with Chubby Chick's 4th of July Challenge!

Pounds Lost this Week: 2.6 pounds
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 2.6 pounds (my first week in the challenge), 22.4 pounds to go!
Non-Scale Victories: My major NSV for the week is simply just avoiding the unnecessary snacking throughout the day.
Weekly Summary: Although I was sticking to the plan and feeling like I was doing everything right, the scale seemed to be stuck for the first 5 or so days, which was a bit frustrating. But I stuck with it and continued in hopes of seeing results by the end of the week, and I did (although smaller than I had hoped).
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: I think I need to step up on drinking more water and adding a few more veggies into my daily meals.

Overall, it was a successful first week since I DID lose weight! I can't expect to have huge numbers every week even though in the past the first week is usually the most. Oh well...I'll just keep going and take what I can get and be HAPPY about it!!

making it work to make it last

I'm trying really hard to make my eating habits one that I can stick with throughout my life and not only "for a time" just to shed the pounds...since we all know how easily the weight can come back on once we go off plan. It takes a lot of shifting of the mindset to settle on the decision that everything must be eaten in moderation versus restriction. The more you restrict, the more you will want...and usually the more you will eat!

Last night, as I was struggling to figure out what to fix for dinner (nothing new!), I settled on serving leftover taco stuff. Then I realized that I had already used up all the lettuce for my lunch. What's a girl to do who's on a "diet" and there's no lettuce in the house?! Then, it dawned on me. I can have a tortilla just like the rest of my family.

So, I made my taco using the ingredients I had on hand and by making it point friendly(ier).

1 flour tortilla (4 points) - All we had were the large size flour tortillas. If I didn't have as many points to spare, I could have gone for just 1/2 the tortilla and been just fine, especially because I didn't have a lot of stuffing inside.
2 oz. serving of taco meat (2 points) - It didn't seem like a lot when I measured it out, but it was enough and I think that if I want ground beef (lean!), I'll eat it...in moderation.
1 Tbsp. LIGHT sour cream (0.5 points) - Did you know that 3 Tbsp. of light sour cream is only 1 point? I have been using light sour cream for at least a year now and I really don't remember the difference. It's just a small change I can make for this new lifestyle.
fat free salsa (0 points) - You can have up to 1/2 cup FF salsa and still have 0 points. This is the "dressing" I use when I make taco salads.
7-10 olives, sliced (1 point) - For me, olives help add a little extra flavor, so it's worth the 1 point to me.
1/2 serving of Mexican style shredded cheese (1.5 points) - It's not much (because I love cheese!), but it's enough. I don't care much for FF cheese, so I usually use regular or reduced fat, but just less of it. It works for me since I know that I won't be able to live on FF cheese for the rest of my life.

Total: 9 points

And, there you have it! If I had lettuce, of course that would be added to it, but I was out. And, I probably could have opened a can of black beans and sprinkled a 1/4 cup for only 0.5 more points, but I decided it wasn't worth opening the can for such a small amount.

I tend to save a good portion of my points for dinner because I know that will be my biggest meal. I need to continue to learn to not be afraid of having something like this every once in awhile. Of course, it wouldn't work for every meal each day, but it's OK to fit this kind of thing into the week...and to enjoy it!!

**Tomorrow is weigh-in day, so we'll see if the scale is good to me!